Manufacture of aluminum chloride



11 1 1927. Marc F. .w. HALL MANUFACTURE OF ALUMINUM CHLORIDE Filed Dec. 30." 1921 Patented Ma. 1, 1927.

UNITED" STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK W. HAI|L, OF IOBT ARTHUR, TEXAS, ASSIGNOB TO THE TEXAS COMPAN'Y, 01 NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF TEXAS.

\ EAIN'UF.AGTURJ] OF ATZUMINUM CHLORIDE.

Application filed December 80, 1821. Serial No. 525,876.

My. invention relates to the production ofanhydrous aluminum chloride and has special reference to processes'and apparatus for carrying out the well knownreaction 5 between an aluminum bearing substance such as alumina and a chlorinating agent such as chlorin gas. 7

One object of my invention is to avoid the disadvantages of a batch or intermittent 10 system of operation and to provide a process and apparatus for continuously producing aluminum chloride on a ,commercial scale.

In accordance with the invention, the materials employed for the preparation of aluminum chloride and the fuel required to supply necessary heat for, the reaction are both admitted 'nto a retort wherein the materials for the reaction undergo a chemical transformation resulting inithe "production of aluminum chloride, while the fuel is discharged out of the retort and into a combustion chamber arranged to supply heat to the retort.

Other objects will appear as the description of the invention progresses.

Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of an apparatus constructedin accordance with my invention and constituting an embodiment thereof.

Figs. .2 en respectively on the lines 2-2 of Fig. 1.

The structure illustrated comprises a furn'ace 10 which is substantially circular in cross section and isprovided at the base with a retort foundation 11, concentrically within the furnace wall 10 and adapted to support the retort 12.. The, upper portion of the foundation 11 is conical in shape and extends within the retort 12, the: retort being and 3 are sectional plan views takand 33 mounted on a lurality of spaced supports- 13 interposed etween the retort and its foundation 11.. Openings 14 are thus formed between the members 13 and serve as discharge outlets from the retort12 into the combustion chamber 15, which is post tioned between the furnace wall 10 and foundation 11. The members 13 are wedgeshaped in form, in order to facilitate the passage of material from the retort to the combustion chamber. The combustion chamber isfequipped with a grate 16 and with openings 17 which serve to'supply the necessary air for combustion and constitute outlets for spent material.

One or more ipes 18, preferably positioned near the ottom of the retort serve to admit chlorin or other gas that may be required for the reaction- A hopper 19 may, if desired, be arranged to be heated by the furnace 10 so that the materials charged therein may be preheated before being ad- 'mitted to the retort. The hopper is equipped with a charging door 20 and a discharging door 21 the latter of which may be operated by a rod 22. u

The aluminum chloride vapors generated in the retort pass out through an outlet pipe 23. The combustion gases generated in the chamber 15 pass through a checkered brick work about the retort 12 and are dis-' charged into a flue 24.

In carrying out the process various materials may be used and various chemical reactions and .methodsof operation may be employed. I prefer, however, to use the re-. action obtaining between alumina, carbon I and chlorin for the production of aluminum chloride and the following specific example is described as embodying that particular reaction.

In the practice of the invention, fuel is first admitted into the combustion chamber 15, either by way of the hopper 19 and retort 12 or otherwise and the fuel is utilized in initially heating the retort and bringing the materials therein to the required temperature for the reaction. After operating conditions have been established, the-necessar fuel is su plied from the retort 12'.

en emp oying the alumina-carbon chlorin reaction, the alumina and carbon. is ordinarily admitted in'the form of coke, the

ingredients having been previously mixed together in the proper proportions for the reaction and then coked. The coked product is introduced into the retort 12 through the hopper 19 either. continuously or from time to time, as may be required and fuel needed to supply .the necessary heat for the reaction is mixed with the charge. This fuel descends through the retort unacted on by chlorin and is discharged through openings 14 'into the combustion chamber 15.

If desired the alumina-carbon mixture may be prepared with an excess of carbon chlori e vapors.

' 2. In the manufacture of aluminum ch10- and when this mixture is admitted into the retort 12, the carbon not required in the reaction descends through'the retort and is discharged into the combustion chamber 15,

thus supplying the necessary fuel.

lVhcn using the reaction referred to, any suitable aluminous material may be employed. I prefer to use a suitable aluminum ore, such as bauxite or aluminum silicate. The carbon furnishing material may consist of pitch, asphalt, heavy petroleum residues, acid sludge or other suitable materials.

The aluminum chloride vapors generated in the retort flow through the out-let 23 into any suitable sublimer or condenser not shown.' If desired, a fan or other suction means may be used in order to insure that the chloride vapors will bedrawn off through this outlet. Similar means may be employed to insure the removal of the flue gases through the outlet 24.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the invention, as hereinbefore set forth, may be made without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention, and therefore, only such limitations should be imposed as are indicated in'the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In the manufacture of aluminum chloride, the process that comprises passing an alumina-carbon mixture containing an excess of carbon through a retort, contacting the mixture with chlorin, continuously passing the excess carbon into a combustion chamber in free communication with the retort, causing combustion oft-he fuel thus admitted to the combustion chamber, and directing the resultant hot gases about the exterior of the retort to heat the same, and continuously removin from the retort the aluminum ride, the process that comprises admitting to the "upper end of a. substantially vertical retort, an alumina-carbon mixture containing an excess of carbon, passing chlorin into the retort to react with the alumina-carbon mixture in transitthrough the retort, continuously removing the excess carbon from the bottom of the retort and discharging it into a combustion chamber, passing the resultant gaseous products of combustion through a heating chamber surrounding the retort, and continuously removing from the retort the aluminum chloride vapors.

3. In the manufacture of aluminum chloride the process that comprises passing heated gases from a combustion chamber upwardly about the exterior of a substantially vertical retort to heat same, introducing at the upper end of said retort material adapted for the preparation of aluminum chloride and an excess of fuel required to supply heat for the reaction, passing said material and fuel downwardly through the retort in contact with chlorin whereby chemical reaction with the evolution of aluminum chloride vapors occurs, removing the excess fuel from the bottom of the retort and continuously passing it into said combustion chamber and continuously removing fromhthe retort the aluminum chloride vapors.

. 4. In the manufacture of aluminum chloride, the process that comprises charging into a retort an aluminum ore, a reducing agent in excess and comprising fuel, bringing chlorin into contact with the aluminum ore and reducing agent in transit through theretort, continuously passing the fuel from the retort into a combustion chamber adapted to supply heat to the retort, and separately and simultaneously removing the resultant aluminum chloride vapors and combustion gases from the retort and combustion chamber respectively.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 6th day of December, 1921.

FR'XNK-w. HALL. 

